Elastic water-bed



(No Model.)

Blobm.

ELASTIG WATER BED.

Patented Feb. 28.1882.

Lover/Z407.

N. PETERS. Phowmmcgmpher. Wasningmn, 0.0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

EDWIN J. BONE, OF SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELASTIC WATER-BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,265, dated February28, 1882l Application filed December 17, 1881.

I'o all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN JAMES BONE, a subject of Great Britain,residing at South Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Elastic Water-Bed, ofwhich the following is a specification. Y

My invention relates to the manufacture of elastic water-beds for theuse of invalids, which l are constructed of rubber cloth or other thinelastic material.

The elastic water-bed is made in the shape of an ordinary mattress, andrequires to be filled with water cr with water and air combined, andwhen so filled it aEords a perfectly level and elastic surface, which ismaintained by the support of the water; and the object of my inventionis to producea perfectly softand elastic bed for invalids, dispensingwith all springs and mattresses, and as the body lying on the bed isvirtually lying upon the water it neutralizes the pressure upon anyparticular part, and thus offers the most favorable conditions for therepose and comfort of the patient, preventing the evil effects of longconfinement to bed, in the form of bedsores, 8vo., and owing to itssusceptibility to pressure it affords great assistance to the patient inchanging his position in bed. It also affords a ready and direct meansof changing the temperature whenever the patients condition requires it.

The accompanying drawings show the construction of the bed.

Figure 1 is an exterior' perspective view of the elastic water-bed whenfilled with water. A is the inlet with flexible tube and funnelattachment, through which the water or air is supplied, and it isAclosed by means of a metal screwcap. B is the outlet, to which isattached any required length of tube to carry off the Water whenemptying the bed or changingthe temperature. The outlet is also closedwith a metal screw-cap. In the internalarran gement of the cells Ipropose to make use of both of the methods described in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig.2 shows the internal construction of the bed, which consists ofcells or divisions of thin rubber cloth, which run transversely and areattached to the upper and under parts of the bed, as shown in Fig.4,-and extend to within a short space of the outer edges, which are left(No model.)

o pen for the free passage of the water on either s1 e.

Fig. 3 shows another arrangement of the cells or divisions, which alsorun transversely, but are attached on alternate sides of the bed, theopposite end being cut olf a short distance from the side of the bed.Bythis arrangement a more perfect circulation of water is obtained,which is of great utility ,when change of temperature is required.

Fig. 4 is a side section, showing the cells when filled. They areattached to the top and bottom of the bed, as shown, and when the bed isempty the divisions fold over, allowing the top to collapse for foldingthe bed up.

The elastic water-bedis madeof thin rubber, rubber cloth, or otherelastic water-proof material, and the cells or divisions are made of thesame material. l The bed is made in the shape and proportions ofordinary beds or mattresses, and the seams or edges are rmly. cemented,woven, or otherwise securely joined.

The bed, when required for use, must be placed on an ordinary bedsteadwith a smooth, firm bottom,and when filled with water at any requisitetemperature, or nearly fllled with water and then sufficiently inflatedwith air, and covered with a sheet or thin blanket,itis ready foritsoccupant, requiring no springs or other mattress, but forming initself a perfectly soft, agreeable, and elastic bed, free from allfeeling of hardness or lumps,and giving such uniform support to everypart of the body,without any undue pressure, that even the mostemaciated person cap lie upon it for extended periods withoutcontracting bed-sores, &c.; and it also gives the most perfect supportfor patients suffering from fracturedlimbs, &c.,doing away with thejarring incidental to the ordinary bed and springs.

The cells or divisions running transversely afford a fulcrum to assistthe patient in Inoving in bed, and they assist to keep the bed in shapewhen filled, and also prevent any perceptible displacement of water bythe movements of the patient, and this is still further prevented byforcing in a small quantity of air with the bellows after the bed isnearly filled with water.

The temperature of the bed can be readily changed at any time, withoutdisturbing the palOO visions. which are inflated by filling the beds,85e., with Water orwith water and air combined,

as described in the specication and shown on 15 the drawings.

2. An improved and direct means of circulating Water through the bedsand rapidly changing the temperature, as set forth iu specication.

EDWIN JAMES BONE.

Wvitnesses:

GEO. A. PRATT, ROBERT PROVAN.

